Vertical vs. Horizontal Injection Molding

If you're familiar with injection molding, you might picture a molding machine in operation. It opens, ejects a formed part, closes the mold, and then produces another part. Most likely, you visualize the mold opening horizontally, parallel to the floor. However, there is a whole other side to consider—injection molding can also be executed vertically, a fact that many are not aware of. If you haven’t encountered vertical injection molding before, this article will provide insights into what it is and whether it might be the right choice for your upcoming project.

What is Vertical Injection Molding?

Vertical and horizontal injection molding processes work similarly. If you’re acquainted with horizontal injection molding, you’ll find that vertical operations closely resemble it. Both involve injecting molten resin into a mold, maintaining pressure to allow the part to harden, then opening the mold to remove the part(s). The main distinction lies in the vertical mold’s operation, which is perpendicular to the floor and moves up and down instead of side to side.

How is Vertical Molding Different than Horizontal Molding?

While the molding halves in vertical injection molding move up and down rather than side to side, there are additional differences. Typically, the injection mechanism in vertical injection molding is situated at the top of the mold. This design uses gravity to help the molten resin fill the mold cavity effectively, particularly in complex shapes. Gravity-assisted filling can also shorten the fill time, thus reducing the overall cycle time of the molding process. A further benefit of vertical injection molding is achieved with open clamps and rotary tables that allow for the simultaneous use of multiple molds. Pre-molding, molding, and post-molding processes can occur concurrently, thereby enhancing efficiency, productivity, and reducing costs.

When is Vertical Injection Molding the Better Choice?

When designing a new product, one crucial factor to consider is whether horizontal or vertical injection molding would be more suitable. Here are scenarios where vertical injection molding may be preferable:

• Parts do not need to fall from the mold for removal. Gravity is not a factor in releasing the parts from the mold.
• Concurrent operations are required, such as utilizing two bottom halves and one top half simultaneously. This configuration allows pre- and post-molding activities to occur while parts are filled in the mold.
• Parts necessitate insert or over-molding for enhanced functionality or visual appeal. Gravity keeps the inserts in place, simplifying the operation.
• The design requires consistent resin flow within the mold and accurate temperature distribution.
• Operations need a more compact injection molding machine that occupies less floor space. Vertical machines typically take up about half the space of horizontal machines.
• Less pressure and clamping force are needed, as gravity assists in keeping the molds together during the injection process.

When Should Your New Part Design Choose Horizontal Injection Molding?

Horizontal injection molding has been the more commonly used method since injection molding began, but that does not inherently mean it is superior. Its prevalent usage and availability of machinery may simplify the search for a turnkey supplier for your design. Here are situations where horizontal injection molding might be the better option:

• Manual part removal is required via human operator or robotic arm, making horizontal molds a more suitable choice. Gravity aids the parts in exiting the mold.
• You need to produce multiple parts per molding cycle with several part cavities in one mold.
• Your design features, or the part itself, have cylindrical shapes.
• High volume production runs are necessary.
• No insert or over-molding is required in the design.

Choosing the right injection molding process for your design is pivotal for successfully bringing a new product to market. It's essential to incorporate the appropriate resin, minimize operational cycle times, and enable automation as required. This process often involves detailed discussions surrounding quality enhancement and cost reduction. If you need assistance with injection mold design, help selecting the right resin, or producing your product, we are here to assist you. SEA-LECT Plastics specializes in injection mold design, tooling, manufacturing, assembly, and global logistics. As a turnkey manufacturer, we can manage your product launch from concept to market. When you’re ready to discuss your project or learn more about plastic injection molding, contact us today.

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Why Choose Horizontal Injection Molding Machines?

At DKM, we prioritize horizontal molding machines over vertical ones for various reasons. Horizontal machines tend to be more user-friendly, accommodating all types of molten metals while achieving higher efficiency levels. Their horizontal layout allows for easier management and placement within automated production lines. Moreover, they are designed to handle a wide range of molds and shapes across multiple industries. Thus, they ensure consistent molding conditions and support multi-cavity mold production.

Additionally, horizontal machines generally exhibit high production capacity and energy efficiency compared to vertical ones. Horizontal molds are more productive, reliable, and often represent a cost-effective choice for diverse manufacturing requirements.

The company is the world’s best ce plastic molding machinery supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.